Apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar, a generally flat surface on the top of each of said center bar of said U-shaped bars. The U-shaped bars maybe of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of vehicleaccessories, and more particularly to automotive side bars for assistingentry into high road clearance vehicles.

[0004] The present invention relates in general to vehicle side bars forsport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, jeeps and similar vehicles.

[0005] A vehicle side bar is an accessory which has gained considerablepopularity in recent years. In essence, it is a wide tubular bar whichis attached to the side of a vehicle just below the passenger cab. Itusually covers the length of the cab and projects laterally to theoutside of the cab side or door surface. It is usually bolted or weldedto the main longitudinal frame beam of the vehicle chassis.

[0006] The side bar is both an appearance accessory and provides someprotection for door and side of the vehicle cab to deflect debris.

[0007] Many vehicles of earlier date had running boards along the sideof the vehicle to provide a stable platform to stand on and assist inentry and exit from the vehicle. More recently, side bars have beenmanufactured and sold, primarily by small and large automotive accessorycompanies. Side bars, while primarily a styling accessory, have beenmodified to provide a step built into the side bar to assist in entry ofand exit from the vehicle. The side bar system of the present invention,in contrast with side bars with a step built into the bar, provides astep assembly independent of the side bar providing a stable step closerto the ground.

[0008] Running boards were at one time a standard feature on mostpassenger vehicles, including light duty trucks such as pickup trucks.The running board provided an intermediate step that was an aid inentering the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0009] As vehicle designs changed, the bodies of the vehicles werelowered and the running board disappeared from the design of thevehicle. The body of the vehicles, in addition to being lowered waswidened to provide more space in the passenger compartment. This designconcept of eliminating running boards carried over to other vehiclesthat were not lowered in design, such as four wheel drive pickups andsport utility vehicles.

[0010] Four wheel drive vehicles are intentionally designed with arelatively high road clearance, that is the frame and body is supportedat a relatively high distance from the ground. This is a desiredcharacteristic, since the user of the vehicles wants the maximumclearance for traversing adverse road conditions such as deep snow,muddy and rutted roads and the like. Additionally four wheel drivevehicles are often driven off improved roadways where all types ofconditions are likely to be encountered.

[0011] One of the problems with a high clearance vehicle is the heightof the entry into the passenger compartment. The floor of the passengercab is of necessity high above the ground and for many individuals, therequired “step” is too high to permit easy entry.

[0012] Side bars such as those similar to and described in U.S. Pat. No.4,935,638 provide a step on the side bar itself This step is many timesstill too high off the ground to permit easy entry into the vehicle.Aesthetically, a step built into the side bar also visually disrupts theclean line and streamlined appearance of the bar.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The primary object of the invention is assists entry into vehiclepassenger compartment. Another object of the invention is to provide anintermediate step between the ground and the floor of the passengercompartment.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a stylishappearance accessory to vehicle.

[0015] A further object of the invention is to provide a functional sidestep and/or a protective device for the door and side of the vehiclecab.

[0016] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0017] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, thereis disclosed an apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearancevehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachmentto a vehicle chassis, one or more smaller U-shaped cylindrical barsattached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portionsand a center bar, and a generally flat surface on the top of each ofsaid center bar of said U-shaped bars.

[0018] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention,there is disclosed an apparatus for assisting entry into high roadclearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted forattachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical barsattached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portionsand a center bar; and a non-skid surface on the top of each of saidcenter bars of said U-shaped bars.

[0019] The tubular side bar is mounted onto the vehicle chassis by meansof mounting brackets which attach to the chassis and the side bar by avariety of conventional means including but not limited to welds,brazing or attachment with nuts and bolts.

[0020] The smaller U-shaped tubular bars are attached to the side bar bywelds, brazing or other means. Similarly, a step is constructed byattaching a flat bar to the top of the U-shaped tubing. Thisconfiguration is the step assembly. An additional lower step can beconstructed by using another small U-shaped tubular bar and attaching itto the first step assembly. In this manner additional steps can beproduced for higher clearance vehicles.

[0021] The side bar and attached step assembly mounted by brackets tothe vehicle chassis form a streamlined accessory just below the bottomof the vehicle passenger cab and extending from just aft of the forwardwheel fender to just forward of the rear wheel fender. The step assembly(or assemblies) is (are) suspended from the side bar and positioned justbelow each door or passenger exit to assist entry and exit from thevehicle.

[0022] The composition of the tubular bars and flat bar can be metal orany of a number of high strength composite materials. The finish of thebars can be but is not limited to chrome, polished metal or high or lowgloss paint to complement the appearance of the vehicle.

[0023] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS

[0024]FIGS. 1A and 1B are top and side plan views of the invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the inventiontaken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

[0026]FIGS. 3A through E are top and side plan views of the side bar,step assembly components and mounting brackets.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are providedherein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention maybe embodied in various forms. Various aspects of the invention may beinverted, or changed in reference to specific part shape and detail,part location, or part composition. Therefore, specific detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as abasis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching oneskilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0029] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1A illustrates side bar 20attached to the underside of vehicle 22, partially shown in phantom.Vehicle 22 may be one of any number of sport utility vehicles, pick uptrucks or other vehicles. Side bar 20 is typically welded or brazed tomounting brackets 26 which are then attached to vehicle undersidechassis 24 of vehicle 22 by use of bolts, welds, brazing or other meanswell known in the art. The side bar typically extends the majority ofthe distance underneath a passenger compartment and may extend along thedirection between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. Side bar 20may be formed from a generally cylindrical tube having a cross sectionof any a variety of polygonal shapes including, but not limited to, acircle, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, an ellipse, or anyother suitable shape. Side bar 20 may also be any other rigid memberthat is capable of mounting on a chassis along the underside of thevehicle. Side bar 20 functions as a protective guard for the exteriorside surfaces of vehicle 22 and serves as a stable platform forattachment of the smaller U-shaped bar of step assembly 28. Stepassembly 28 may also be made using tubular construction. The inventionteaches that a flat bar 29 may be attached on the upper surface of thecenter of the bar of step assembly 28 to thereby form a step.Alternatively a non-skid surface may be applied to that area of the barto form a step surface on flat bar 29.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the tubular bar of thestep assembly 28 is attached to the side bar 20 by welding; the weldsare ground and sanded to a smooth finish prior to polishing and/orpainting of the metal surfaces of the invention. Typical side bars 20and U-shaped tubular bars of the step assembly 28 comprise ruggedtubular steel tubing although other materials including but not limitedto high tensile strength composites may be used. Similarly, flat bars 29that form a step are typically stamped steel although other materialsmay be used. In an alternative embodiment non-skid materials of variouskinds can be applied to the top of the center of the tubular bar of thestep assembly 28 to form a step.

[0031] On a four-door vehicle, side bar 20 is fitted with tubular barsfor step assembly 28 and flat bar 29 positioned below and generallycentered below each door. Step assembly 28 is preferably locatedrelative to the doors so that a passenger can easily use the step toenter and exit vehicle 22. Alternatively, vehicle 22 may have two sidedoors, a third opening for a mini-club cab or a specialty vehicle with aplurality of doors for the passenger cab; in each case a step assemblyand step is positioned below each door. In addition, a step assembly 28may be located behind the rear door just before the rear tire well topermit step access to the bed of the truck or the rear roof surface of asport utility vehicle.

[0032]FIG. 1B shows a preferred embodiment of the invention from a sideview before being mounted on a vehicle. Step assembly 28 is a U-shapedbar having two ends 21 connected together by a central bar 27 thattogether attach to side bar 20 to form a step. The angle at which ends21 attach to central bar 27 may be of any of a variety of anglestypically from 0 to 45 degrees to facilitate easy access by a human footand a stopping point on either side of central bar 27 to inhibitslipping and undesired movement of the person using the step. Ends 21may be of two different angles on one step assembly depending on theapplication. Attached to or formed in central bar 27 is flat surface(flat bar 29 of FIG. 1A) to form a convenient location for a foot toalight.

[0033]FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross sectional view of the inventionalong the line A-A of FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment, side bar 30is welded to mounting bracket 32. Mounting bracket 32 is bolted to thevehicle underside chassis 34 to stably secure the side bar below thevehicle body (not shown). Step assembly 36 (consisting of the tubularbar and step previously described) is welded to side bar 30 at anappropriate angle to provide an optimum setback from the vehiclepassenger cab and easy to access surface to assist in entering andexiting the vehicle. Preferably, the angle should be approximately 45degrees from the horizontal plane. There may be applications where theangle could be anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the horizontalplane depending on vehicle height off the ground and the particular useintended.

[0034] FIGS. 3A through -F show each of the component parts of apreferred embodiment in more detail. FIG. 3A shows a top plan view ofside bar 40. During manufacture side bars 40 are cut to lengthscustomized for each vehicle. After cutting side bar 40 to the desiredlength, the ends are bent and stylized bent ends 42 and 44 created. Oneor both of the bent ends may be removed as depicted on the left bent end44 in shaded outline in the figure to achieve the desired stylizedeffect. In the preferred embodiment the tubular bar is comprised of mildsteel of 3 inch diameter and 14 gauge thickness although other generallycylindrical shapes and materials can be used for side bar 40.

[0035]FIG. 3B shows a side plan view of side bar 40 and accuratelydepicts a clean closed appearance of the side bar with the bent endsremoved as in outlined bent end 44 from FIG. 3A.

[0036]FIG. 3C shows a top plan view of step assembly tubular bar 50.During manufacture step assembly tubular bars 50 are cut to lengthscustomized for each vehicle. The angle at which the bend is applied tobar 50 may be of any of a variety, typically between approximately 0 to45 degrees to permit easy access of a foot when stepping onto the stepassembly. After cutting tubular bar 50 to the desired length the endsare bent and stylized bent ends 52 and 54 created. Bent ends 52 and 54are then smoothed and recut to provide a surface that can be attachedflush to side bar 30. In the preferred embodiment tubular bar 50 iscomprised of mild steel of 1.5 inch diameter and 14 gauge thicknessalthough other generally cylindrical shapes and materials can be usedfor tubular bar 50.

[0037]FIG. 3D shows side plan view of flat bar 58 that is used to createa stepping surface in the step assembly. In the preferred embodiment theflat bar is welded to the top portion of the tubular bar shown in FIG.3C in a manner that creates a step that is horizontal to the ground whenthe vehicle is parked on a level surface. The flat bar typicallyconsists of stamped steel although other materials well known in the artmay be substituted.

[0038]FIG. 3E shows two side plan views of a preferred embodiment of themounting bracket. The mounting bracket typically consists of stampedsteel and is fashioned to each vehicle model to stably hold the side barin the preferred position below the vehicle body. A typical mountingbracket consists of arms 60 and 62 of varying lengths that hold the sidebar in place. With a preferred 3 inch diameter side bar the distancebetween the top and bottom arms 60 and 62 would be 2.25 inches allowinga secure attachment by means of welding or brazing of the side bar tothe arms 60 and 62. Extension 64 is attached to arms 60 and 62 and isadapted for mounting on the chassis of the vehicle by bolts (not shown)placed in pre-drilled holes on extension 64.

[0039]FIG. 4 is side view of the preferred embodiment of the inventionin a typical installation mounted on high road clearance vehicle 78. Aspreviously described, side bar 70 and tubular bar of step assembly 72form an aesthetically pleasing streamlined appearance along theunderside of the vehicle body. Bent arm 80 of the side bar complementsthe bent arms of the step assembly tubular bars and forms a symmetricalvisual that is pleasing to the eye and creates a safe edge on the barthat is less likely to be caught on objects or people. Mounting brackets76 are somewhat hidden in a properly installed installation and do notinterfere with ingress or egress from the vehicle. Likewise flat bar 74for the step assembly forms a step without taking away from the safeapplication as a step formed by the invention.

[0040] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal thegist of the present invention that others can, by applying currentknowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omittingfeatures that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constituteessential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of thisinvention; and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of thefollowing claims. Although this invention has been described in terms ofcertain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of thisinvention, as defined in the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for assisting entry into high roadclearance vehicles comprising: a generally cylindrical side bar adaptedfor attachment to a vehicle chassis; one or more smaller U-shapedcylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised oftwo end portions and a center bar; and a generally flat surface on thetop of each of said center bar of said U-shaped bars.
 2. An apparatusfor assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said U-shaped bars are welded to said side bar.
 3. Anapparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising a non-slip or non-skid materialplaced on the flat area on the top of the U-shaped bar.
 4. An apparatusfor assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said U-shaped bars are attached at an angleapproximately 45 degrees from the horizontal plane of said side bar. 5.An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said side bar has a bent end portion.
 6. Anapparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said U-shaped bars have end portions thatconnect to said an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees.
 7. Anapparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said end portions of said U-shaped bar meetsaid center portion at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees.
 8. Anapparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehiclescomprising: a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to avehicle chassis; one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to andsuspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar;and a non-skid surface on the top of each of said center bars of saidU-shaped bars.
 9. An apparatus to enable access into a vehiclecomprising: a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to avehicle chassis; a generally U-shaped bar attached to and suspended fromsaid bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar, said U-shapedbar attached at an angle approximately 45 degrees from the horizontalplane of said side bar; and a generally flat surface on the top of saidcenter bar of said U-shaped bar.